How to Drill in Concrete Dry, Without Water Cooling? A Complete Guide for Professionals Using the Distar DDS-W RM-TX Core Bit
Drilling in reinforced concrete without using water is one of the most frequently searched and asked questions among contractors, installation companies, and construction crews. In practice, professionals need solutions that allow them to work quickly, cleanly, and without downtime caused by setting up equipment for wet drilling.
The RM-TX technology—used in Distar’s DDS-W RM-TX dry drilling core bits—was created in response to these real, everyday needs. This article is a practical guide explaining:
-
when dry drilling is the best choice,
-
how to perform the drilling process step by step,
-
which equipment is essential,
-
how to prevent tool overheating,
-
how to extend the life of the core bit and avoid the most common mistakes.
The content is based on technical knowledge, product testing, and the experience of companies working with Distar across Poland and Europe.
Why is dry drilling becoming increasingly popular?
Dry drilling allows professionals to work faster, cleaner, and with greater mobility.
Time and efficiency matter on every job site. Dry drilling offers several key advantages:
✔ No need to arrange water supply
Work remains clean and fast—especially in finished interiors, occupied buildings, or locations where the client does not allow the use of water.
✔ High mobility
The entire setup consists of a handheld drill rig, the core bit, and an industrial vacuum. The operator can work anywhere without the logistics of water handling.
✔ No sludge or wet debris
There is no need for cleanup afterward, and indoor spaces remain dry.
✔ High drilling speed
RM-TX technology and DiaFIX segments enable efficient drilling in C20–C40 concrete and even heavily reinforced structures without losing performance.
Essential equipment for dry drilling
To fully benefit from DDS-W RM-TX core bits, proper equipment setup is crucial.
A drill with Microblow (micro-impact) function
Microblow is the foundation of effective dry drilling:
-
it does not hammer the concrete the way a classic impact drill does,
-
it gently breaks the structure of concrete and rebar ahead of the segment,
-
it can increase penetration speed by several dozen percent.
👉 Without Microblow, the RM-TX core bit cannot achieve its full working speed.
An industrial vacuum connected to the drill
Dry drilling produces large amounts of dust. The vacuum:
-
removes debris from the hole,
-
prevents segment overheating,
-
provides air cooling,
-
maintains visibility and work hygiene.
Note: insufficient suction power can reduce drilling performance by 30–40%.
How to drill in concrete dry — step-by-step guide
The following procedure is the recommended workflow used by Distar technicians and experienced contractors operating RM-TX tools daily.
Step 1: Starting the hole — creating a guiding recess
-
Position the drill perpendicular to the surface.
-
Drill without Microblow, creating a shallow recess (approx. 2–3 mm).
A centering guide such as the Distar RS/RM-TX helps prevent the bit from slipping. -
Turn on the vacuum and Microblow.
-
Continue drilling with steady, even pressure.
Why this matters:
Skipping the guiding recess may cause the core bit to slide, damage the segments, or scratch the surface.
Step 2: Managing debris and air cooling
In dry drilling, there is no water cooling—cooling is provided by airflow from the vacuum and the Microblow mechanism.
Rule: Every 40–60 seconds, pause and pull the bit slightly out of the hole.
-
Do not switch off the machine.
-
Allow the vacuum to draw air in and clean the hole.
-
The segments will cool down, keeping drilling speed high.
Pressure:
Apply moderate, consistent pressure.
Excessive force overheats the segments and slows the process.
Step 3: What to do when the core bit slows down — segment sharpening
All diamond tools become dull over time. In RM-TX bits, the first sign is a decrease in drilling speed.
To restore performance:
-
Turn off the vacuum and keep drilling for a few seconds.
-
The dust inside the hole will act as an abrasive, exposing fresh diamonds.
-
When speed returns to normal, turn the vacuum back on.
Additional sharpening method:
Briefly drill into a silicate block or sandstone.
For best results, use the DrillSharp abrasive plate.
Most common mistakes (and how to avoid them)
❌ Excessive pressure
Does not improve speed—causes overheating and faster segment wear.
❌ No ventilation breaks
Lack of air cooling is the most common reason for performance loss.
❌ Weak vacuum
Low suction power = insufficient dust removal = overheating.
❌ Skipping the guiding recess
Increases the risk of bit slippage and surface damage.
Safety rules when dry drilling
Dry drilling in concrete produces a significant amount of dust. Always:
-
use a P3 dust mask,
-
wear safety glasses and gloves,
-
ensure stable mounting of the core bit—bronze or copper rings can make later removal easier,
-
use a vacuum with adequate suction power (min. 70 l/s).
Why RM-TX technology is ideal for dry drilling
RM-TX was developed for companies that:
-
primarily drill in reinforced concrete,
-
work in dry environments (apartments, shopping centers, office buildings),
-
operate on fast-paced projects where speed matters,
-
want to eliminate downtime and logistics related to water cooling.
DiaFIX segments, optimized core height, and Microblow technology allow RM-TX bits to match—and often exceed—the performance of many wet drilling segments, especially in hard materials.
Conclusion
Dry drilling in reinforced concrete is not difficult—provided you have:
-
the correct core bit (RM-TX),
-
a drill with Microblow,
-
an industrial vacuum,
-
and knowledge of the proper workflow:
clean start → stabilization → air cooling → regular cleaning → periodic sharpening.
With the right technique, you can drill faster, cleaner, and without the risk of overheating the core bit, making the entire process more predictable and safe.
